Language:

See all Disinfo Cases - Detail

Disinfo: International observers praised Russian vote in Crimea

Summary

Dozens of international observers watched the all-Russian voting on the law on amendments to the Russian constitution, which took place in the neighboring country from 25 June to 1 July. An EU delegation has even arrived in Crimea to observe the voting process. International observers praised the legitimate vote in Crimea.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative attempting to portray a gradual acceptance of Crimea's position within Russia, especially by the West.

Members of the European Parliament who visited the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimea did not represent the EU and did not constitute an observation mission of the European Parliament, the press service of the EР said.

“We know that some members of the European Parliament and other citizens act as so-called observers in the Crimea when voting on Russian constitutional amendments. They are not EU official representatives, they are not an official EU delegation and they are not an observation mission of the European Parliament,” said Peter Stano, Lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to Ukrainian media.

The EU also condemned the vote, which took place in the temporarily occupied Crimea in violation of international law.

Go to search

publication/media

TASS - Russian (Archived)
Pervyi Kanal (Archived)
regnum.ru (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 205
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 08/07/2020
  • Language/target audience: Russian
  • Country: EU, Russia, Ukraine
  • Keywords: Manipulated elections/referendum, Crimea

Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.

see more

The EU Association Agreement made Ukraine a colony of the European Union

The Europeans are happy to accept cheap labour from Ukraine and to carefully monitor that Ukraine respects its obligations to remain a colonial appendage of the EU, which, in addition to human resources, also requires raw materials needed by Western producers.

July 08, 2020
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Ukraine, which is often claimed to be under external control from the US, NATO, the EU, or IMF.

Ukraine is a sovereign state. The EU does not control Ukraine. Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected by most of the free world, confirmed by the resolutions of the United Nations, but violated by Russia. Ukraine is a priority partner for the EU.

MH17: Russia was found guilty without an investigation into the crash

Many Western countries led by the United States immediately blamed the militia of the republics and Russia [for the crash of the MH17]. The West used the crash of the Malaysian Boeing as a reason for introducing a new round of anti-Russian sanctions and forcing tension in the international arena over in Ukraine. In addition, Russia was declared guilty without the results of the investigation being presented.

July 08, 2020
Disproof

Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on the downing of flight MH17 over Ukraine, aiming to discredit the criminal trial and the Joint Investigation Team (JIT). This claim also misrepresents the history and causes of the EU’s sanctions on Russia.

The first EU sanctions against Russia were introduced on 17 March 2014, before MH17 was shot down. The first bans and asset freezes against persons involved in actions against Ukraine's territorial integrity followed Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea. Later, in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in eastern Ukraine, the EU imposed economic sanctions in July 2014 and reinforced them in September 2014. In March 2015, the European Council linked the duration of those economic restrictions to the complete implementation of the Minsk agreements.

Amendments to the Constitution of Russia confirm the Russian status of Crimea

The all-Russian vote on the law on amendments to the Russian constitution, which took place from June 25 to July 1, caused a huge stir in the Crimea. Crimeans, as in 2014, confirmed their intention to be part of Russia. The amendment to the constitution “on the protection of the integrity of Russia” forever establishes the Russian status of Crimea making the process of returning Crimea to Ukraine impossible.

July 07, 2020
Disproof

Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Crimea.

Both the Crimean “vote” for “joining Russia” in 2014 and the “vote” for amendments to the Russian constitution in Crimea are not recognised by the Western world. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine emphasises that the results of the Russian vote in the Crimea are legally null, have no legal consequences worldwide and are not recognised by Ukraine or the international community.